NDLEA auctions drug traffickers’ forfeited properties in Lagos, Kano, others
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has auctioned six properties forfeited by convicted drug traffickers in Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun States, in a fresh move to dismantle criminal drug networks by targeting their ill-gotten wealth.
The auction, which held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja, was monitored by pre-qualified auctioneers, civil society organisations, media representatives, and officials from other government bodies.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Femi Babafemi, Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja.
The statement reads partly: “This auction is part of our broader commitment to transparency and justice. Beyond prosecuting drug offenders, we are committed to ensuring that the financial incentives that drive these crimes are neutralised through legal forfeiture. This serves as both punishment and deterrence.”
“When drug traffickers know they stand to lose everything, including their ill-gotten assets, it sends a stronger message than imprisonment alone,” the statement added.
“The auction involved forfeited eight properties across Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun. Two of the houses located in Lekki and Ikorodu areas of Lagos were stepped down from the process due to notices of appeal received after the processes had begun,” it stated.
“Six other properties were auctioned to pre-qualified bidders, with only two sold at over N139 million following successful bids above their reserved prices. Others either failed to receive any bids or attracted offers below the benchmark,” it added.
The NDLEA said the auction was a strategic effort to not only prosecute offenders but also strip them of the proceeds of their crimes in line with legal procedures and the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The statement added that the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd.), who was represented by the Agency Secretary, Mr. Shadrack Haruna, reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to go after the financial infrastructure of the drug cartels.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Umar Yakubu of the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch commended the NDLEA for what he described as an open, credible, and globally compliant process. He noted that the transparency of the exercise underscored the agency’s commitment to public accountability.
Also addressing the event, Director of Proceeds of Crime Management, Mr. Jerry Iorwa Aernan, disclosed that only auctioneers pre-qualified by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) were allowed to participate. He added that all had passed integrity checks to prevent the properties from reverting to their original criminal owners.
The statement noted that successful bidders must make a 10 percent deposit within 14 days to confirm interest, while full payment must be completed within a specified timeframe.